jaunts to a degree;
while Steve, who was always knocking about hither and thither, had a very
domestic wife, who worked samplers, and made hearthrugs, scarcely ever
wished to cross the threshold, and only drove out with him to please him.

'However, they said very little about this mismating to any of their
acquaintances, though sometimes Steve would look at James's wife and
sigh, and James would look at Steve's wife and do the same. Indeed, at
last the two men were frank enough towards each other not to mind
mentioning it quietly to themselves, in a long-faced, sorry-smiling,
whimsical sort of way, and would shake their heads together over their
foolishness in upsetting a well-considered choice on the strength of an
hour's fancy in the whirl and wildness of a dance. Still, they were
sensible and honest young fellows enough, and did their best to make
shift with their lot as they had arranged it, and not to repine at what
could not now be altered or mended.

'So things remained till one fine summer day they went for their yearly
little outing together, as they had made it their custom to do for a long
while past. This year they chose Budmouth-Regis as the place to spend
their holiday in; and off they went in their best clothes at nine o'clock
in the morning.

'When they had reached Budmouth-Regis they walked two and two along the
shore--their new boots going squeakity-squash upon the clammy velvet
sands. I can seem to see 'em now! Then they looked at the ships in the
harbour; and then went up to the Look-out; and then had dinner at an inn;
and then again walked two and two, squeakity-squash, upon the velvet
sands. As evening drew on they sat on one of the public seats upon the
Esplanade, and listened to the band; and then they said "What shall we do
next?"

'"Of all things," said Olive (Mrs. James Hardcome, that is), "I should
like to row in the bay! We could listen to the music from the water as
well as from here, and have the fun of rowing besides."

'"The very thing; so should I," says Stephen, his tastes being always
like hers.

Here the clerk turned to the curate.

'But you, sir, know the rest of the strange particulars of that strange
evening of their lives better than anybody else, having had much of it
from their own lips, which I had not; and perhaps you'll oblige the
gentleman?'

'Certainly, if it is wished,' said the curate. And he took up the
clerk's tale:--

* * * * *

'Stephen's wife